AS REGULARS go you won't find any more loyal than Erminio Pasin and his mate Gus Tomasella.
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Every Saturday at 11.30am for the past 40 years, the pair has popped into The Area Hotel to enjoy a beer or two together.
Mr Pasin, who turns 95 today, was just 19 when the pub was built.
He has been going to the pub for a total of 76 years and has seen 11 different licensees come and go since it opened in 1938.
"I can remember every Saturday morning it was packed, you couldn't get in for a beer," he said.
"Most of the Italians used to come here.
"Everyone would come to town to bring their produce in to be loaded for the markets and then come here for a beer.
"When I first came here the main street wasn't even tar, it was just dirt."
Mr Pasin has been married to Lina for 63 years and they have two children, Ido and Gloria.
He said the weekly get-together was an opportunity to socialise.
"I drink plenty of beer, but I've never been drunk in my life. I never drink too much," he said.
"My wife is happy I come every Saturday because I do the grocery shopping and then come here to the pub for a few beers and then I go home just before 1pm.
"I've never missed a Saturday unless I've been out of town. If I miss a couple of Saturdays they worry where I am.
"Over the years there were others who came too, but Gus and I have always come.
"We used to drink Carlton but now we drink light because of the breathalysers."
Mr Pasin said he can still remember when a beer cost around a shilling. He now pays $3.20.
He will celebrate his birthday with family and friends at his favourite watering hole tomorrow around the same time in his usual spot.
Licensee Jason Torresan said it was rare to see such loyal customers and he said there were plans to help Mr Pasin celebrate his birthday in style.
"These guys do what a lot of people can't these days. They socialise face to face," he said.
"Social media has taken that away for a lot of people.
"They have come here for a few beers every Saturday for 40 years.
"If they miss a Saturday we do wonder if they are OK and check up too see what's happening."